After returning to a SBB sketchbook project after a few years away
from the method, I was faced with the same dilemma. I decided to sew
the signatures first, and then cased it in afterwards, using ribbon
to hold 'place' for the lacing cords as you sew the signatures together.

It sounds worse than it is. : ) (And I believe that's how I learned
to do it from Barb Korbel though I can't find my original instructions.)

I have some instructions (books and the web) that state
the Secret Belgian Binding should have the text block sewn
and then the case is stitched through the text block sewing.
Then another set of instructions state to put the case together
and then sew on the signatures. I feel like I need 5 more
hands to do this the first method. I haven't tried the second
method yet.

Any input?

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